The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1887-11-26
Almost a Murder. Ed. Robson Pounded
to Jelly by Jim Croaker and
Bill McGrath.

to a Jelly by Jim Croaker and
Bill McGrath.
In the town Of Wallace, few miles north.
west of this city, resides Ed. Robson, and q
numerous family named McGrath, the father
Of which, is noted all over the county as
wealthy and influential farmer. There was
an election for school director in the town
ship not long ago, and as Robson and the
McGraths lived in the same "dishtrict," it
became their lot to be on opposite sides Of
the political fence. Pat McGrath, brother
of Bills was the McGrath candidate, and
John Slingsby, who was alleged to have
several pounds more brains in his Uranium
than Pat, was the choice of Robson. Now,
Ed. had been one Of the proprietors Of the
Robson & Dryer store, and was big gun
in Wallace, so the McGrath faction was
showed under deeper than the salt well at
Streator.
Therefore, the McGrath's held deep and
we'll sealed account against Ed. and vowed
to get square with him if it took ten years.
Bill came into town on Tuesday with Jim
Croaker, his hired man, and load Of hogs.
After the hogs were disposed of, they
got roaring, bowling full Of the city mans
fine water, and by the time for starting home
came along, were ready for anything in
sight, especially Robson. 1t wasabout dusk
when they started home, and on the way
out, just for amusement nearly killed
Charley Funk. Charley and John Barrett
met them on the road near Fcnnessy's, and
when Charlie got out Of Barrett's wagon to
go over to speak to them, they simply turned
their horses loose on him and ran over him.
The wheels Of the vehicle passed over his
chest and arm, and he was picked up insen-
sible and resuscitsted at Fennessey's.
They hadn't had so much fun for year
and their boisterous laughter and foul Ian
guage, indicated that they intended to have
more. In fact they just thirsted for some
body's gore, and when they arrived at Rob-
son s house they let themselves loose. They
abused Ed. and his wife and daughter, in
shameful and brutal manner and then drove
home. Shortly afterward, Robson went after
them on horseback to obtain their names in
order to prosecute. Little did the unsus-
pecting fellow know that this was but part,
a page, of the Williams designs-but he soon
discovered it; yes, only too soon, for scarce.
ly had he reached Bill McGrath's house,
when Croaker and Bill, who saw they were
recognized, ran up to him, and while Bill
pulled at his leg, Croaker struck him down
with the butt of q revolver. Then both
opened up on him with the deliberate
int ention of permanently spelling his beauty
or killing him outright. They knocked him
down and jumped upon him; they walked
over his head and kicked him until his chest
was nearly broken in and one side OF his
head assumed the color and appearance OF
hammered beefsteak. Then Croaker sat on
him and hammered away until he was ex-
hausted, meanwhile giving the whole thing
away by saying: 81 amt got nothing against
you, Pm hired to do you up" When
Croaker became weary Of pounding, both
men began kicking him about the yard, and
fortunately for him, in his efforts to get
away, he managed to crawl through hole
in the fence to cornfeld, where he remain
ed until they gave up searching for him.
Not daring to venture upon tho road, he
dragged himself home over the fields, and
sent his hired man, Mike Murray, after Dr.
Ry burn and the polio.
Officer Brennan took the patrol and went
ont after the two brutes, catching Bill Nc
Grath at his house. He was brought in and
placed in jail, meanwhile protesting entire
innocence in the affair Croaker was found
on Wednesday morning at the nous Of Bills
father, and on his way to all told the
officer that he had been "hired 10 do the job"
The men were brought before Squire Calvin
ON Wednesday afternoon, when McGraths
father and John Carey went en- their bonds,
which were fixed at 5000 each. on charge
| of assault with intent to kill. Their hearing
before Calvin will take place week from
today. Should Robson die in the meantime,
they will be arrested and jailed at once, but
this is hardly probable, as DR.. Ryburns
examination disclosed no fatal injuries,
though Robsons nose is faitened out, his
face and eyes fearfully swollen, and large
bruise appears on his chest.